Do you know about the current Kawasaki tourist spot that is getting attention from tourists not only from other prefectures but also from overseas? It's the nighttime viewing of the Kawasaki industrial zone that spreads along the Tokyo Bay. When a monitor tour was held in 2008 it was overwhelmed with applications by more than 10 times the number of people solicited, and official periodic tours started from 2010.
"Being close to Haneda Airport places height limitations on the Kawasaki factory zone, meaning most of the buildings are quite low. This keeps the horizon clear and allows a deep panorama of light to be enjoyed," explains "Nighttime Factory Zone Navigator" Nobue Wakai, who accompanies parties on the tour. A particular highlight is the view from Ukishima-cho at the end of the bus tour. "The bus is filled with gasps and excitement, with young people shouting "awesome!" (laugh)."
"Another appealing aspect of the factory zone at night is that it can be viewed from the sea as well as the land. This offers quite a different viewpoint than from a bus window," says Ms. Wakai of the nighttime pleasure boat cruise that travels the canals winding between the cluster of seven islands where the factories lie. "Along with the incredible overhead light show, the reflections of the lights on the water are also very mysterious. I don't think it is going too far to call the nighttime factory zone a new power spot in Kawasaki."